Fostering Young Lives is The Benevolent Society's foster care program, connecting children and young people who cannot live safely at home with caring, supportive foster families across Sydney.  

By placing children at the centre of its work and providing comprehensive support to carers, the program helps create safe, stable environments where young people can grow, heal and thrive. 

Foster carers David and Benjamin have been recognised with the 2026 Carer Recognition Awards' Embracing Cultural Belonging – CALD Award, which celebrates carers who honour culture and nurture identity.  

David and Ben were nominated for this award by their caseworker Shannon Woodhead. Their recognition highlights the important role foster carers play in helping children feel safe, connected and supported, while maintaining a strong sense of who they are and where they come from. 

Embracing Cultural Belonging – CALD Award 

Members of Benevolent’s Fostering Young Lives team attended the award ceremony with David and Ben, which took place at NSW Parliament House on Wednesday 5 August.  
The award acknowledges the couple's commitment to providing a culturally safe, inclusive and nurturing home where a young person can thrive. Their recognition reflects the power of foster care to create not just stability and support, but a genuine sense of belonging and connection. 

“We are incredibly proud to see David and Benjamin recognised with the Embracing Cultural Belonging – CALD Award. Their commitment to creating a home where culture, identity and belonging are celebrated reflects the very best of foster care,” said Amy Johnson, Program Manager in Benevolent’s Fostering Young Lives team. 

"It was a privilege to nominate David and Ben for this award and for them to receive the recognition they truly deserve. David and Ben have an unwavering commitment to providing care so selflessly, as they embrace all opportunities to support connection to culture and identity. David and Ben as carers are a credit to out of home care, their compassion and commitment has made a significant difference in a child's life" said, Shannon Woodhead, Case Worker.  

"It has been a privilege to work alongside David and Ben and witness the exceptional care, respect, and dedication they bring to fostering every day. Their commitment to promoting culture, strengthening family connections, and supporting identity is remarkable. They lead by example, creating a positive and lasting impact" said, Ruba Homaidan, Team Leader.  

Strengthening belonging and connection 

Through the Fostering Young Lives program, Benevolent’s team see the profound difference dedicated carers can make in helping children feel safe, valued and connected. 

“Foster care is about much more than providing a place to live. It's about creating relationships, stability and opportunities that help children and young people build confidence, maintain connections to culture and community, and look to the future with hope,” added Amy. 

“Every child deserves to feel safe, valued and connected to who they are. Our role is to walk alongside carers, providing the support, guidance and resources they need to help children and young people thrive,” added Amy.  

Reflecting on the award, David and Ben said they were “grateful to Benevolent throughout their journey with Luke", noting that "Luke has been supported so well in his development and placement with us. Even through complex times, his culture has always been supported".  

David and Ben shared how there is a "huge ripple effect of positivity across both ours and Luke's life, right through to his birth family, including his parents, siblings and extended family which is linked to his culture and linguistic connections". Finally, David and Ben shared how this would not be possible without "The Benevolent Society believing we were the right home for Luke and for our caseworker Shannon supporting and advocating for Luke's culture and language connections". 

To learn more about the Fostering Young Lives program, call The Benevolent Society at 1800 236 762 or visit our website here.  

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